Joan Patricia Shockman, 81, took the hand of her Lord and stepped from our world into heaven on Tuesday evening, November 12, 2013 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West, Cambridge, Minn.
Born April 11, 1932 in Baltimore, Md., Joan grew up there, the only child of Gerard and Honora (Fisher) Sperlein. Her mother died when she was 11 and soon after, she and her father went to live with her paternal grandparents.
As a junior in high school, Joan met Kenneth Shockman, a North Dakota farm boy and army private, at a YMCA dance and they corresponded while he served in Germany with The Army of Occupation. They were married April 19, 1954 at St. Pauls in Baltimore. During their 38 years of marriage Ken and Joan welcomed 11 children, born in Maryland, North Dakota, Idaho and Minnesota. In 1971 they settled in Braham where Kenneth operated the local pharmacy. Joan lived in the community until a few weeks ago.
Joan attended St. Pauls Parish School and The Catholic Girls High School in Baltimore. On March 3, 1995 she graduated from St. Cloud State with her youngest daughter, Sarah. She was an avid reader who loved learning.
Joan was a kind, compassionate, nurturing person whose Catholic faith was very important to her. She was considerate of others and had a calm, gentle manner. Her large family was precious to her. They knew they could always find a sanctuary in her home. Her grandchildren loved visiting and she genuinely enjoyed their company. She spent many happy hours in her gardens and belonged to the Braham Garden Club.
Joans first career was that of a wife, mother and homemaker. Later, she worked for Isanti County; first as a home health aide where she enjoyed getting to know those she cared for and later she educated people about the dangers of tobacco use. After her retirement in her early 70s, she supported her community by volunteering at Tusen Tack and serving on the Braham Area Community Center Task Force.
Joan was preceded in death by husband, Kenneth, on Nov. 11, 1992, her parents, and stillborn twin sisters.
A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her family: Phil and Kathy Olson Family: Andy and Erin, Madeleine, Adam, Joseph and Jacob; Marie and Ryan Broek; Sam and Corrie, Solomon, Judah and Ezra; Eben, Dannii and Milo; Lydia Olson, boyfriend Joe; Julie Shockman Family: Jordan and Kristen, Jack, Lucy; Aaron and Nichole, Andrew, Annabelle; Travis Thoth; James and Debbie Shockman Family: Matt and Jerrin, Carson, Alivia and Luke; Jennifer, Ella, Blaze and Norah; Jacob and Danielle, Allison, Avery and Audi; David and Amie, Isabelle and Owen; John and Cindy Shockman Family: Jason, Cassandra and Amelia; Dana, boyfriend Dan; Maria, boyfriend Ryan; Ken Shockman Jr. and fiancee Kim. Kens Family: Elizabeth and Max Schvedenko and baby, Emily and Chris Sandmann and Charlotte, Bill Shockman, Alex and Max Shockman; Margaret and Neil McNally Family: Connor, Collin and Kyle; Michael Shockman, girlfriend Kathy Tester and her son Connor; Paul and Michelle Shockman and Jenavieve; Zac and Carrie Shockman Family: Thomas, Grace and Audrey; Rachel Shockman; Sarah and Tony Kellen Family: Gabriel, Vivian, Isaac, Esther, Amanda (Paul) Noskowiak, Elijah and Ezra, Tyler (Tara) Kellen;; Sandy (Wai Man ) Ng, Decio Marangoni – international daughter and son; special cousins, Mary and Roz, many family members and friends also survive her.
Joan strongly believed in sanctity of human life from the moment of conception. Memorials preferred to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL).
Funeral Service was held Monday, November 18, 2013 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Braham with Father Donald Wagner and Deacon Tom Pinataro officiating. Music was provided by Joni Nelson, Vivian Kellen and Gabe Kellen. Pallbearers were Joans sons: James, John, Ken Jr., Michael, Paul, and Zac. Honorary Pallbearer was Decio Marangoni Jr. Interment was at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Braham. Arrangements by Rock-Ingebrand Funeral Home in Braham.
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